Dromleigh National School
Kilmichael, Cork
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 46 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 23 girls, 23 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 01687U the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Dromleigh National School is a co‑educational primary school serving the Kilmichael community and surrounding areas since 1840. Situated between Dunmanway and Macroom, the school provides a broad and balanced curriculum that incorporates the play‑based Aistear framework for early years, digital learning opportunities and a strong emphasis on holistic development – academic, social, emotional, spiritual and moral. A safe, inclusive ethos of fairness, tolerance and co‑operation underpins everyday life, encouraging pupils to reach their full potential while fostering a love of learning. The campus boasts modern, state‑of‑the‑art classrooms together with a spacious indoor hall, a large playing pitch, extensive playgrounds and a well‑maintained garden overseen by a Green School Committee. Additional on‑site facilities include a resource room, a purpose room, a bright reception area and a football pitch across the road. The school is supported by the Bus Éireann School Transport Scheme and offers the Bright Beginnings Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) setting, providing free pre‑school care and after‑school care from 2 pm daily. Extra‑curricular activities span the arts, science and sport, reinforcing the school’s commitment to a vibrant, well‑rounded education.
History
Dromleigh N.S. stands in the townland of Dromleigh (grey ridge) in the historic parish of Kilmichael, chosen for its central position on the old butter road. Following the establishment of the National System of Education in 1831, Rev. James O’Driscoll secured funding in 1837 and the school opened on 13 June 1840 with Cal O’Callaghan as the first principal, enrolling 47 boys and 27 girls in its first week and 232 pupils by September. A separate girls’ school opened in 1842 under Mary Sullivan, but both sexes were taught together again from 1859 after the girls’ school was closed. The school endured the Great Famine, the 1872 Payments‑by‑Results reforms, a 1900 grant for building improvements, and the turmoil of the 1920 Kilmichael Ambush, during which it was temporarily closed from 28 Nov to 13 Dec. The school was partitioned into separate rooms in the 1930s and has since undergone significant extensions and renovations.
Applying to Dromleigh National School
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Dromleigh National School. Individual schools set their own discretionary closure days, confirm exact dates with the school.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (post-primary schools: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about Dromleigh National School
How many pupils attend Dromleigh National School?
Dromleigh National School has 46 pupils enrolled, 23 girls and 23 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Dromleigh National School a DEIS school?
No. Dromleigh National School is not part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme of additional supports for schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage. Not holding DEIS status says nothing about how good a school is, only about the profile of the community it serves.
What is the ethos of Dromleigh National School?
Dromleigh National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.